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Agence France-Presse

South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma on Monday dismissed multiple graft allegations against him, telling a judicial inquiry he was the victim of conspiracies, years of “character assassination” and plots to kill him.
In an often rambling monologue, Zuma accused unnamed foreign intelligence agencies and spies of working against him and added: “I have survived attempts to kill me.”
Zuma testified at the inquiry in Johannesburg into the so-called “state capture” scandal after previous witnesses gave damning evidence against him.
He is accused of overseeing mass looting of state assets during his nine-year tenure before being ousted by the ruling ANC party in 2018 and replaced by his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa.




“I have been vilified, alleged to be the king of corrupt people,” he said. “I have been given every other name.”
Zuma, who will face questioning by lawyers during an appearance that could last all week, said he had been the victim of “character assassination over 20 years.”
“This commission, according to those who are implementing things, must be the grave of Zuma, he must be buried here,” Zuma said.
“There has been a drive to remove me from the scene, (they) wish that I would disappear … there is this conspiracy against me.”
South Africa’s opposition links leader Ramaphosa to Guptas
Zuma, 77, was not legally required to attend the inquiry, but it invited him to appear after other witnesses testified against him.
Led by judge Raymond Zondo, the probe is investigating a web of deals involving government officials, the wealthy Gupta family and state-owned companies.
“I never did any … breaking the law with this family – never,” he said. “This commission from my understanding was really created to have me coming here and perhaps to find things on me,” he alleged.

Dismissing the term “state capture”, he said it was impossible for one family to corrupt the government, parliament and the judiciary.
“It’s an exaggeration, it is meant to enhance this narrative against Zuma,” he said.
“There have been people sent from outside the country to come and kill me, but I have been patient not saying a thing – but I have been provoked to the last degree.”
Sitting in central Johannesburg, the inquiry has heard from scores of witnesses over 130 days in session since last year.
‘It’s me, Jacob Zuma’: South Africa’s ex-leader joins Twitter amid legal woes
“The commission is not mandated to prove any case against anybody but is mandated to investigate and inquire into certain allegations,” judge Zondo said, thanking Zuma for appearing.
Zondo asked Zuma’s supporters in the venue not to applaud his answers.
According to Angelo Agrizzi, one of the inquiry’s previous witnesses, Zuma allegedly accepted a monthly US$2,200 bribe delivered in luxury bags from a contracting firm that was trying to evade police investigation. The money was in theory for his charity foundation.
Agrizzi said his company also organised free parties, bulk alcohol supplies and birthday cakes to keep favour with Zuma’s associates.

Former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, who was sacked by Zuma in 2015, testified that Zuma pushed policies on nuclear power and aviation designed to benefit the Gupta family.
The Gupta brothers are accused of fraudulently profiting from government contracts including energy and transport deals under Zuma.
The family owned a uranium mine, which would have seen profits soar from the nuclear deal, as well as a portfolio of mining, technology and media companies.
They allegedly held such sway over Zuma that they were able to select some of his cabinet ministers.
South Africa widens corruption hunt for Zuma allies to China
Former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas told the inquiry that the Guptas offered him the finance minister’s job and even threatened to kill him after he refused to accept a US$40 million bribe.
Zuma has separately been charged with 16 counts of graft linked to an arms deal from before he became president.
The Indian-born Gupta brothers – Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – have left South Africa and are now based in Dubai. They also deny any wrongdoing.
Eager to distance himself from the Zuma era, Ramaphosa has declared his presidency as a “new dawn” for the country and described the inquiry as a “very painful process”.


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South Africa

South Africa’s Jacob Zuma tells corruption probe he is victim of conspiracy

Former South African president Jacob Zuma (centre) addresses supporters in Johannesburg on Monday. Photo: AP

A man holds a t-shirt depicting the portrait of former South African President Jacob Zuma, as he gathers with supporters outside House Hill building during the former South African president appearance at the Zondo Commission in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 15, 2019. - South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma dismissed multiple graft allegations against him, on July 15, 2019 telling a judicial inquiry he was the victim of conspiracies, years of "character assassination" and plots to kill him. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP)

Supporters of Former South African president Jacob Zuma gather outside House Hill building during the former South African President appearance at the Zondo Commission in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 15, 2019. - South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma dismissed multiple graft allegations against him, on July 15, 2019 telling a judicial inquiry he was the victim of conspiracies, years of "character assassination" and plots to kill him. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio / AFP)

À la Trump, ousted South Africa president Jacob Zuma takes to Twitter to air his grievances

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has ramped up his social media profile. Photo: AP

The chairman of South Africa's ruling African National Congress, Gwede Mantashe, arrives to represent the ANC at the commission of inquiry probing state capture in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Year End Africa 2018 - YEAR IN REVIEW. FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2018 file photo, former South Africa President, Jacob Zuma sits in the dock in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering. After South Africans protested sprawling corruption allegations that threatened to dangerously weaken the ruling African National Congress, Zuma stepped down (Rogan Ward/Pool Photo via AP, File)

President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures after announcing Shamila Batohi (not pictured) as the country's new chief prosecutor, at the Union building in Pretoria, South Africa, December 4, 2018. Picture taken December 4, 2018. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

‘It’s me, Jacob Zuma’: South Africa’s former leader joins Twitter amid legal woes

File photo of former South African president Jacob Zuma at the High Court of Pietermaritzburg. Photo: AFP

South Africa widens corruption hunt for Zuma allies to China, India, Dubai

epa06519765 (FILE) - South African President Jacob Zuma attends the 'Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries' on the sidelines of the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, China, 05 September 2017 (reissued 13 February 2018). According to media reports on 13 February 2018, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has requested South African President Jacob Zuma to resign as head of state, after talks initiated by senior ANC party members. If Zuma does not resign, he will face a no-confidence vote. Zuma has faced numerous allegations of corruption and was replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC leader in December 2017. EPA-EFE/WU HONG / POOL

A police van and officers are seen inside the compound of the controversial business family, the Guptas, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 14, amid a graft probe over their connections to ousted former president Jacob Zuma. Photo: Agence France-Presse

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Former president accused unnamed foreign intelligence agencies and spies of working against him, saying he survived attempts to kill him
Zuma is accused of overseeing mass looting of state assets during his nine-year tenure


Former president accused unnamed foreign intelligence agencies and spies of working against him, saying he survived attempts to kill him.


Crime